The caucus may be over, but the campaigns certaintly are not. Last week, we saw people of all ages (over 18 of course) attend caucus events in their respective precincts with the hope that their favorite candidate would win the most delegates. Snapchat covered it live on their Story while Twitter blew up with the hashtags “#IowaCaucus” and “#IowaTODAY” gaining the most popularity. Democrats on social media posted with the hashtags “#feelthebern” for candidate Bernie Sanders and “#Imwithher” for candidate Hillary Clinton. This being my first chance to partcipate in a caucus, and election for that matter, I could not wait to register to vote at my location last week. It was only one piece of paper that asked a few questions, but it was extraordinarily meaningful. That one piece of paper is my vote in who the next president of the United States will be.
On caucus night, I made the decision to vote in the state of Iowa, where I go to school, instead of Illinois, where I claim residency. The choice was simple. Here’s why.
1. Iowa is a swing state.
My vote has more of an impact here than it does in Illinois. Historically, Iowa does not majorly align with either party. Cook County, where I’m from, is the most densely populated county in Illinois and is also a Democratic stronghold. There is little change in the way the state votes, and most of its voting power comes right from Chicago, also located in Cook County. In the past six elections, Illinois’ electoral college votes have gone to the Democratic presidential candidate. My vote, although important, makes little impact here.
2. I will spend half of the next presidency attending school here.
Barring any complications, Iowa is where I plan on finishing my degree during at least the next two and a half years. This is where I want to see change, and this is where change will affect my life. I want to see the promises made by whoever I choose to vote for fulfilled here.
3. I want to experience my first election voting day.
If I registered to vote in Illinois, prior to election day, I would have to complete an absentee ballot and mail it in to the appropriate place. But I won’t feel like I’ve actually voted. I want to go in, sit/stand in the little cubby, and select my candidate. I want someone to hand me a sticker that says “I Voted,” and I want to wear it all day long and make those who could have that didn’t vote feel un-American.
4. Iowans during elections might be my favorite people ever.
I remember the election of 2012 fairly well. I was a junior in high school and also enrolled in AP American History. Needless to say, the election was talked about at school. But outside of school, yeah the major news outlets talked about it, and my parents talked about it, but events like caucus’ or campaign organizations just were not happening where I lived. But here in Iowa, the election is everywhere, all the time. Not once in the last few elections was I able to hear a candidate talk. Clinton, Sanders, Donald Trump, Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz all made it a point to hit Iowa City on the campaign trail, often in a grand way. And people freaked out. If I’ve learned anything about Iowans since I’ve been here, it’s that they really do love Iowa and care about what happens here. It makes me want to care, too.
5. Iowa is home now, too.
Illinois will forever be home, even when I wish it wasn’t. But Iowa feels like home more and more every day. Voting here allows me to fight for my current home and that feeling is one of a kind.